answer:Crock pot isn’t a watched pot but it still boils. Pot in oven needs to be checked from time to time, due to nasty and unexpected surprises (like either liquid boiling over or evaporating.) If you are still eating meat, there are wonderful crock pot recipes. I use a 3.5 qt. and feel comfortable (after I tried it a few times and watched it almost constantly) leaving it for a day. I have friends who let theirs cook overnight; I would be too nervous. Worth the $40 and won’t be one of those dust-gathering gadgets in the back of the closet.